Leukoplakia refers to lesions that appear in a person’s mouth as white patches of skin. These can appear on the inner cheeks, lips, gums, tongue, and roof or floor of the mouth. The discolored areas are not usually painful, but may be sensitive to touch or spicy foods. The patches begin as flat, gray sores before turning white and developing a rough, hardened texture. Some lesions are speckled white and red. They may be any size and typically develop slowly, taking weeks or months to form. In some cases, leukoplakia lesions may develop on external female genitals.

Hairy leukoplakia is similar in appearance except that the white lesions appear fuzzy and can resemble ridges. Hairy leukoplakia most often appears on the tongue.

Patients should consult their dentist if they have a mouth sore or area of discoloration that lasts a week or longer. Red lesions (erythroplakia) may indicate the potential development of oral cancer.